Richard II Essay

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The Garden View within The Tragedy of Richard II Written by William Shakespeare Throughout this play, King Richard II is known to have a delicate and impractical behavior that will eventually lead to his downfall within his kingship role (Bevington, D., 2014). In Act I, we find that the King is mediating the trial between his cousin Henry Bolingbroke and Thomas Mowbray for theft and murder. Although it was King Richard II that gave the order for the assassination of his uncle Duke of Gloucester, the man that Bolingbroke and Mowbray were accusing each other of committing. John of Gaunt, the father of Henry Bolingbroke, felt that his son had received punishment for a crime that he did not commit. In fact, afterward Gaunt provides the readers …show more content…

He feels that since the King has been chosen by God, that it is him, that will administer the punishment for any wrongdoing. As Gaunt speaks with his brother the Duke of York, he states “This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, This other Eden, demi-paradise, This fortress built by Nature for herself, Against infection and the hand of war” (Bevington, 2014, p. 341. 2.1.41-4). In his statements, Gaunt is comparing England to a garden that has lost its way. He goes on to state that their land is fit for kings, however, that the god of war has taken up residence and this has definitely brought out improper conduct. In Gaunt’s final days, he tries to convey his concerns to King Richard II and felt that they fell on deaf ears because of his youthful age and …show more content…

She wanted to see if any news of her dilemma had traveled among the commoners as she knew that this would be an excellence time for it to take place. At first, the conversation among the gardeners consisted of teaching the newer ones how to attend to a garden for survival. One man brought up the fact of the disorder of the nation, and the Gardner stated “They are: and Bolingbroke, Hath seized the wasteful king. Oh, what pity is it, That he had not so trimmed and dressed his land, As we this garden” (Bevington, 2014, p. 356, 3.4.54-7)! When the queen had heard how they were speaking of King Richard II, she came forth and asked why they were so rude about the quandary in which the king finds himself. Also, she wanted to know why they were insistent that the king would be disposed of so willingly. As the Gardner explains, that this information is widely known and Isabella should travel to London to learn the